Dental floss holder



Aug. 19, 1952 T. B. TALCOTT I DENTAL. FLOSS HOLDER Filed May 20, 1950 FIG. 3'

INVENTOR. T flamas B Tl/cofif Patented Aug. 19, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DENTAL FLOSS-HOLDER Thomas B. Talcott, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Emily E. Talcott, Cleveland, Ohio Application May 20, 1950, Serial No. 163,255

1 Claim. (01. 132-92) My invention relates to new and useful improvements in holders for teeth cleaning items.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a device in the form of a holder particularly adapted for holding floss used for teeth cleaning purposes.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a holder for the purposes stated that consists of an elongated body, curved in its length and having means for holding a length of dental floss between opposite holding means for cleaning between adjacent teeth.

Another object of the invention being the provision of such a holder as described that is small enough for inserting in the mouth to apply the floss to the teeth as stated.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a holder as described that provides a means for holding a spool or dental floss for convenient use in unwinding a length of same for placing in the opposite holding means.

The foregoing objects and others will be readily discernable from a reading of the description and a reference to the drawing,in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view in elevation of the device with a length of dental floss secured in the holding means.

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation looking at the device from the back.

Fig. 3 is a side view in elevation of the device.

Fig. 4 is a view of the floss holding means portion of the device.

Describing the device as shown in the drawmgs:

3 is the body being an elongated sheet of suitable material, such as plastic, and formed into a curved, or arcuate shape lengthwise. The upper edge of the body has a slight projecting portion 5 on its opposite corners provided with a small slot 2 extending inwardly from the outer end. 5 and 2 provide a means for holding a length of floss I by winding around 5 and also passing it through the slot 2. 4 is a spool of floss rotatably mounted between the extended side edges 6 in the lower end of the body 3.

The device is conveniently made from a sheet of semi-flexible and sanitary material, such as plastic, and of a size convenient for insertion in the mouth.

It is used and operated by having a spool of dental floss placed in the holding means 6 in the lower, or base end of the body. The free end of such floss is then passed up over and around the extending portion, or ear 5, and through the slot 2, allowing a suflicient length of a strand 2 of the floss to reach across the space between the opposite holding means 5 and to also be wound around 5 and through the slot 2, which holds such floss securely and in a stretched form taut enough for its intended use.

The device is then inserted in the mouth of the user and the floss between adjacent teeth, the body of the device providing a suitable and convenient means for operating the floss between such teeth for thoroughly cleaning the adjacent surface of such teeth and food caught between such teeth. After using the strand of floss as stated it may be removed from the device and discarded. The spool of floss positioned in the lower, or base end of the device provides a convenient means for a supply of the floss and saves time in the operation of teeth cleaning. The use of the floss as stated provides a more convenient and sanitary Way of cleaning the teeth than the usual manner by holding such floss between the fingers for such operation. The device likewise provides a means for a saving of floss over present day methods of providing floss for such purposes as specified.

The device is simple in construction and inexpensive, is long lasting and easy and convenient for being kept in a sanitary condition at all times.

I have shown my device in a most desirable and convenient form for its intended use, however slight modifications may be found necessary in use without departing from the basic features or spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

A device of the type described comprising a body formed from a sheet of material, said sheet being transversely curved and provided with side edges tapering toward the lower portion and extending therebeyond, each corner of the upper portion being provided with a projection having a slot extending inwardly from the end thereof and a spool of dental floss rotatably mounted between the extended side edges of the lower end portion of the sheet whereby a strand of floss may be unwound from the spool and held in the slots formed in the said projections.

THOMAS B. TALCOTT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,210,207 Roach Dec. 26, 1916 1,233,687 Muchow July 17, 1917 1,816,876 Soreny Aug. 4, 1931 

